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The United Nations Security Council and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an investigation into the alleged chemical-weapons attack in Syria on Wednesday. Argentina's envoy Maria Cristina Perceval says, "All council members agreed that any use of chemical weapons by any side, under any circumstances, is a violation of international law."

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Experts from the joint United Nations-Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons team have investigated 11 of the 20 chemical-weapons sites in Syria and are dismantling equipment at six of the sites, OPCW says.

The United Nations chemical-weapons team on Monday collected samples and "interviewed witnesses, survivors and doctors" regarding the alleged chemical-weapons attack in Syria, says Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. A second visit is being delayed because of security issues, while a witness says the team was forced to depart before visiting certain important sites.

The United Nations has formally asked Syria for access to investigate Wednesday's alleged chemical-weapons attack. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has sent UN disarmament envoy Angela Kane to pursue the request with the Syrian government. If chemical weapons were used, they would represent "crimes against humanity," Ban says.

The United Nations chemical-weapons team will leave "imminently" for Syria following negotiations with the Syrian government. The team will be in Syria for as long as 14 days to investigate alleged chemical weapons use at three sites, said UN deputy spokesman Eduardo del Buey. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sees the investigation as "an important deterrent" against the use of chemical weapons, del Buey said.

Syria will allow a United Nations team to visit the country to investigate alleged use of chemical weapons. The UN team will be visiting three sites including Khan al-Assal, outside of Aleppo. The team will be leaving for Syria "as soon as possible," said the office of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.